“He’s like that pair of underwear you wear all the time and you really, really like.”
—Keane Maddock, a graduate of Frankfort High School in Indiana, praising Mike Clossin, the school’s former drama director. Maddock’s description (“personal, but not too smothering; strict, but not too restricting”) is part of an essay included in Teaching with Love, Laughter, & Lemonade, a book about superlative educators.
“I know we live in a world of Britney Spears, but I don’t see us giving school credit in that atmosphere.”
—Effingham County board of education member Vera Jones, about 17-year-old Laura Williams’ request to receive work-study credit for her job at a Hooters restaurant in nearby Savannah, Georgia. The board turned down Laura’s appeal despite the fact that her hostess uniform consists of khaki trousers and a collared shirt rather than the short shorts and tight shirts the eatery chain is known for. The senior plans to continue working there anyway.
“We’re working with, you know, the education community to see how we can work together, for them to help with us this budget crisis.”
—California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, referring to his discussions with state education officials and union leaders about how to adequately fund education.
“I’m young and I did this for the experience, and who knows what’s going to happen?”
—First grade teacher Randi Coy, after quitting her job at Pope John XXIII Catholic School Community in Scottsdale, Arizona, to costar in the Fox faux-reality show My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancé.